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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Ignore the fuchsia thread under the turquoise. I was cleaning up my stash of threads. Actually all the thread underneath the turquoise is from my cleaning. I finally re-organized my DMC threads that were on Stitch Bows (it wasn't for me, I prefer plastic bobbins).

By the way, I know have all the DMC threads (minus one or two) in my stash. I finally finished winding them all on bobbins. Here's a picture of all the tags I kept:

I'm thinking I want to keep all the tags. One day when I have a craft room I'll put them all in a transparent vase and display them as decoration. Kind of like how wine enthusiasts keep wine corks in vases.

Monday, May 26, 2014

I didn't stitch much last week, because of my right arm (I strained it pulling the needle through the #5 Perle Cotton, sigh). By Friday, it was feeling much better and I was able to finish the first layer of stitches for the Octagons:

I like the effect the #5 Perle Cotton gives to the piece (can't wait to see how it looks with all 3 layers put together). Because of the thickness of the thread, it gives the stitches a nice raised effect. The stitches really pop out in person.

I've already started on the second layer. I was skeptical when I started stitching with the thread (this time its a #8 Perle Cotton), the color looked really boring. But once I started stitching the Diagonal Long Stitches, I was very impressed. Despite the blah color, the directions of the Long Stitches make the thread shine.

By the way, I'm loving this project, because it's giving me the chance to stitch with different types of threads. This way, I can figure out what type of threads I'd like to work with in the future. So far, I didn't much like the #5 but I LOVE the #8.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

After spending most of the long weekend cleaning up and organizing my stash, I decided to start something new: Spirit of the Southwest by Susan Portra. Much like Peacock Tapestry, this is a design I've been wanting to stitch for a long time (I think I've owned the kit for almost a year) and I've finally started working on it.

Floss Toss

I've started stitching the Double Wrapped Smyrna's which is the first layer of the Octagons' borders. It's the first time I've ever stitched with #5 Perle Cotton. It's really thick for the canvas so I have to exert some force to push the thread through.

Despite the fact that I'm stitching Smyrna's over and over, I'm not bored. But I can't wait to get to the next step, it will be exciting to see this come together with these colors.

Friday, May 16, 2014

It's finally happened! Peacock Tapestry is finished. I actually finished on Wednesday, but with the bad weather, I couldn't take any good pictures. I had some sun this morning so I took the opportunity. I'm taking it in this weekend to frame. I can't wait to see it hanging on the wall :)

All done!

Corners

Flowers in the border

Partridge peaking out

I added a bead for the eye

Beads instead of french knots

I'm still waiting for my new stash. In the meantime I haven't decided what I'm going to do next. I now have 2 WIPs so I can pull in something new. I'll decide this long weekend (Hurrah for Victoria Day!).

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

It's been quite a while since my last stash acquisition (the last time was at the Creative Festival in October). Other than buying DMC thread when Michaels had sales, I've been pretty good (concentrating on Peacock Tapestry, anticipating my next start). Well that is all coming to an end.

Not all the stuff has come in yet, so in the next few weeks I'll be posting pictures of what I've ordered. But the first one just came in yesterday and I was so excited to finally get it in my hands.

The Enchantment of Winter by Terrence Nolan

I thought I'd never be able to snag a copy. I've been looking for it for 2 years with no luck. Every time one would pop up on eBay, I'd try to bid on it but the price kept going up too high (highest I've tried was 70 USD) and a lot of the sellers are in the US and aren't willing to ship to Canada.

I can't wait to stitch it, but I have other things already kitted up so it will have to be for later.

Other than this, I have 3 other orders (one shipped, one ready to ship and third is waiting on an item before they can ship it) and one possible order (I haven't decided yet if I'm getting it or not). Can't wait to get them all.

P.S. Peacock Tapestry is going great. I'm just finishing up the beading on the border. I think it should be done by Friday (Saturday at the latest) and then it's off to the framer. My mom is already trying to figure out which wall to hang it on.